Update – September 17, 2025

BLAST WARNING

BLASTING SCHEDULED TO BEGIN MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2025.

The permit for blasting has been approved. Blasting is anticipated to start Monday, September 22, 2025 for the Phase 1 French Broad River Park river crossing and will continue throughout the week with possible activity into the following week. Traffic in and around the blasting area will be halted during each blast. Additional blasting will be required in the future for the construction of the remaining river crossings. The original scheduled blast for Wednesday, September 17, 2025 has been postponed due to recent wet weather.

Update - September 5, 2025

CONTINUED PARK CLOSURE OF THE FRENCH BROAD RIVER PARK AND WEST END OF CARRIER PARK. Unfortunately, Public Trespassing continues to occur in these areas. The Asheville Police Department has already had to respond on several occasions. MSD asks that everyone please respect the closures and stay out of these areas. The park closures are in place to protect the public and workers.

Construction of the pipeline river crossings is ongoing and remains on schedule. Warning signs have been installed, (see below), along and within the river—please use caution when near the project areas.

The first of four cofferdams has been completed, and dewatering is underway. Excavation in the river will begin soon and will involve rock blasting. Blasting is expected to occur periodically between September 9–16. All nearby traffic will be halted during blasting operations. Once the exact dates of blasting operations are confirmed, notifications will be distributed in advance.

Wilma Dykeman (RADTIP) Greenway Closure and Detour Notice. Beginning as early as Monday, September 8th, the south end of the Wilma Dykeman (RADTIP) Greenway will be temporarily closed and detoured to the sidewalk on the east side of Lyman Street. The closure will extend from approximately Foundy Street to Amboy Road/Bridge and will remain in place for approximately four months to allow staging of construction equipment and materials, and installation of the second cofferdam in the French Broad River. Installation of the second cofferdam will not begin until the first cofferdam (adjacent to French Broad River Park) has been removed.

Lyman Street Lane Closure Notice. The southbound lane of Lyman Street will require temporary closures for staging of construction equipment and materials. Please use caution and follow all posted closures and detours.

Update - July 25, 2025

The Pump Station was bid on June 18th and awarded on July 16th to Ruby-Collins, Inc. in the amount of $75,378,958.00. Construction of the pump station and associated piping at the French Broad River Park is expected to begin in early 2026.

Cleary Construction, the Pipeline River Crossings contractor has mobilized to the site and has begun pre-construction activities for the river crossing at French Broad River Park. This includes improvements to the access drive, installation of silt fence, minor grading, and rock and pipe delivery. In-water work is expected to begin on or around August 4th. Cleary will be utilizing a rock cofferdam for construction of the new pipeline across the river. This will require many dump truck loads of rock to the site over the next couple weeks. Please respect and obey all posted signage. The French Broad River Park remains closed to all visitors and is now an active (and dangerous) construction site.

Cleary Construction will install 50% of the new pipeline from the west side of the French Broad River. Once complete, they will remobilize to the east side of the river (adjacent to Lyman Street) to complete the remaining section of new pipeline. Construction activities may occur after-hours on occasions. The public will be notified of these occasions via on-site signage and project website. The first river crossing is expected to be complete by late 2025.

Update - May 16, 2025

The tree clearing and debris removal at the pump station and river crossings sites are complete. Pre-construction activities that include site and aquatic survey and mobilization of equipment and materials are ongoing for the river crossings. Construction of the river crossings is anticipated to start in August.

The pump station project is currently out for bid with a bid opening date of June 18th.

Update - March 20, 2025

Tree clearing is complete, and debris removal is ongoing at the pump station and river crossing sites. The pipeline river crossing construction contract has been awarded to Cleary Construction in the amount of $12,932,000.00. Start of construction will be determined at the upcoming the pre-construction meeting.

The project is located adjacent to French Broad River Park in Asheville and includes replacement of the existing Carrier Bridge Pump Station and rehabilitation of the interconnected French Broad Interceptor. These improvements are essential for accommodating future wastewater flows and protecting the quality of the French Broad River. The entire project is anticipated to be complete in 2029.

Currently, MSD is working with the City of Asheville to speed up construction activities that are in and around the river to coincide with restoration of the French Broad River Park due to the storm damage from Helene.

Please see the slides below for more detailed information. If you should have any technical questions about the pump station work, please call Darin Prosser at (828) 225-8280.

For questions about the status of the French Broad River Park, follow this link: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/locations/french-broad-river-park/ or call 828-259-5800 or email parks@ashevillenc.gov.